, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
1. Access the story Why dassies have no tails, via the following link:
https://nalibali.org/story-library/multilingual-stories/why-dassies-have-no-tails
Answer the following questions based on the story:
1.1. The age genre of this story is Picture books for 6-to-9-year-olds. Read through the
information in your Tutorial Letter 501 regarding what stories are suitable for this age group
and explain what elements of the story make it suitable for children of these ages. You must
identify one element per age of the story that makes it appropriate for each age from 6 to 9. Be
specific and justify your answer with close reference to the text. Please note that this question
requires consultation of pages 89 to 90 in Unit 6 of your Tutorial Letter 501 as well as Study Unit
1.
The story "Why Dassies Have No Tails" is categorized under the genre of picture books for
6-to-9-year-olds. This age range requires stories that are engaging, age-appropriate, and capable of
fostering cognitive and emotional development. Here, I will explain the elements of the story that
make it suitable for each specific age within this group, referring to key aspects of the text and
consulting the guidance provided in Tutorial Letter 501.
For 6-Year-Olds
For children who are 6 years old, the story's visual elements play a crucial role. While these children
are developing their independent reading skills, they still benefit from the inclusion of illustrations.
The presence of pictures in the story, helps maintain interest and support comprehension.
Additionally, the story features a straightforward narrative with a clear problem—why dassies don’t
have tails—and a simple resolution, which is suitable for their developing understanding of plot
structure.
For 7-Year-Olds
For 7-year-olds, typically in Grade 1, stories that involve animals engaging in human-like actions,
such as calling a meeting or pleading with a creator, resonate well with this age group. The story's
use of repeated actions and its fable-like structure are ideal for children at this stage. The dialogue
and narration are simple and direct, making the story accessible. The explanation for the dassies’
lack of tails, tied to Dassie’s laziness, introduces a moral element that can be easily understood, even
though it is more of an explanation than a traditional fable.
For 8-Year-Olds
At 8 years old, children in Grade 2 are becoming more curious about the world around them and can
distinguish between the real and the imaginary. "Why Dassies Have No Tails" addresses this
curiosity by providing a causal explanation for a real-world observation—why dassies lack tails.
While the story features talking animals, the narrative introduces a cause-and-effect relationship,
where Dassie’s procrastination leads to him missing out on a tail. This element helps 8-year-olds
understand the connection between actions and consequences, which supports their cognitive
development.
Question 1
1. Access the story Why dassies have no tails, via the following link:
https://nalibali.org/story-library/multilingual-stories/why-dassies-have-no-tails
Answer the following questions based on the story:
1.1. The age genre of this story is Picture books for 6-to-9-year-olds. Read through the
information in your Tutorial Letter 501 regarding what stories are suitable for this age group
and explain what elements of the story make it suitable for children of these ages. You must
identify one element per age of the story that makes it appropriate for each age from 6 to 9. Be
specific and justify your answer with close reference to the text. Please note that this question
requires consultation of pages 89 to 90 in Unit 6 of your Tutorial Letter 501 as well as Study Unit
1.
The story "Why Dassies Have No Tails" is categorized under the genre of picture books for
6-to-9-year-olds. This age range requires stories that are engaging, age-appropriate, and capable of
fostering cognitive and emotional development. Here, I will explain the elements of the story that
make it suitable for each specific age within this group, referring to key aspects of the text and
consulting the guidance provided in Tutorial Letter 501.
For 6-Year-Olds
For children who are 6 years old, the story's visual elements play a crucial role. While these children
are developing their independent reading skills, they still benefit from the inclusion of illustrations.
The presence of pictures in the story, helps maintain interest and support comprehension.
Additionally, the story features a straightforward narrative with a clear problem—why dassies don’t
have tails—and a simple resolution, which is suitable for their developing understanding of plot
structure.
For 7-Year-Olds
For 7-year-olds, typically in Grade 1, stories that involve animals engaging in human-like actions,
such as calling a meeting or pleading with a creator, resonate well with this age group. The story's
use of repeated actions and its fable-like structure are ideal for children at this stage. The dialogue
and narration are simple and direct, making the story accessible. The explanation for the dassies’
lack of tails, tied to Dassie’s laziness, introduces a moral element that can be easily understood, even
though it is more of an explanation than a traditional fable.
For 8-Year-Olds
At 8 years old, children in Grade 2 are becoming more curious about the world around them and can
distinguish between the real and the imaginary. "Why Dassies Have No Tails" addresses this
curiosity by providing a causal explanation for a real-world observation—why dassies lack tails.
While the story features talking animals, the narrative introduces a cause-and-effect relationship,
where Dassie’s procrastination leads to him missing out on a tail. This element helps 8-year-olds
understand the connection between actions and consequences, which supports their cognitive
development.
